Palatability enhancers for pet food, method of preparation and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention concerns palatability-enhancing compositions comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of: ascorbic acid; isomers thereof; derivatives thereof; salts thereof; and combinations thereof, for use in pet food, preferably in dog food, as well as methods of preparation and uses thereof.

1 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method for the preparation of a palatable dog food, consisting of:
 a) providing a first palatability-enhancing composition (“PECa”) comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of: ascorbic acid; isomers thereof; derivatives thereof; salts thereof; edible sources thereof; and combinations thereof;   wherein said at least one compound is at a concentration of at least 0.0016% by weight of said dog food;   b) combining said PECa with at least one component selected from the group consisting of food carrier, palatability-enhancing composition ingredients and palatability enhancers, to prepare a second palatability-enhancing composition (“PECb”),   wherein said at least one component is liquid;   c) optionally, drying the resulting PECb obtained from step b);   d) adding the thus obtained and optionally dried PECb to a dog food preparation; and   e) obtaining a palatable dog food.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said compound is ascorbic acid. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said food carriers are selected from the group consisting of water, carbohydrates, microbial proteins, vegetable/plant proteins, animal proteins, fat, mineral compounds, and organic compounds. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said palatability-enhancing composition ingredients or palatability enhancers are selected from the group consisting of animal digests, proteins, peptides, amino acids, carbohydrates, fats or lipids, nutrients, anti-oxidants, preservatives, surfactants, texturing agents, and Maillard ingredients. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said PECb is added to said dog food preparation by inclusion or by coating. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said PECb is added to said dog food preparation by coating.